Driver Dies After Being Ejected From Car In Crash

CANTON, GA -- A Cartersville man has been charged with vehicular homicide in connection to a fatal collision late Wednesday afternoon in Cherokee County. Deputies with the Cherokee Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the accident around 11:44 a.m. Oct. 25 on Ga. 108 near the Pickens County line.

A preliminary investigation indicates a GMC Blazer driven by 45-year-old Grady Emery Hardy Jr. of Cartersville "crossed the double yellow line" and side-swiped an Oldsmobile Bravada driven by Canton resident James Michael Scott, 68, said sheriff's office spokesperson Sgt. Marianne Kelley.

This initial collision caused Scott, who Sgt. Kelley said was not wearing a seatbelt, to lose control of his car and roll down an embankment where he was ejected from the Oldsmobile.

Scott later died at Northside Hospital-Cherokee from injuries sustained in the crash.The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office Traffic Enforcement continues to investigate the crash. In the meantime, Hardy was charged with vehicular homicide in the first degree, speeding, reckless driving and passing in a no-passing zone.

He was booked in to the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center with a $10,210 bond.

Images via Cherokee Sheriff's Office